Germany’s Oktoberfest: Everything You Need to Know about it. October beer festival in Germany is one of the biggest festivals in the world. Who doesn’t know about Oktoberfest? It’s Germany’s legendary 16-day beer festival that everyone loves. So much so that over 5 million people visit Munich annually during this festival! Yes, over five million people. It is on that level of grand and fun. If you have no idea about it and you want to learn more, then this post is perfect for you. We’d tell you everything you need to know about Oktoberfest, its history, beers, and everything else! So, stay tuned to Germany’s Oktoberfest: Everything you need to know.
Contents
History of Oktoberfest
The first beer festival that paved the way to today’s Oktoberfest was held in 1810. The festival came to be to celebrate the marriage of Bavaria’s prince to Princess Therese von Sachsen Hildburghausen. The very first festival only lasted for five days. Yes, five days only. There wasn’t so much focus on beer then. Most probably, beer is not famous yet way back then. The last activity was a horse race held at an open area that was named in honor of Princess Therese. Theresienwiese literally translates to “Therese’s green”. The place still exists to this day. In fact, concerts are held there during Oktoberfest.
People loved the festivity so much that they decided to do it again the next year. This time, horse racing was combined with a state-wide agricultural fair. It was in 1818 when booths started serving food. It was also in 1818 that beers made their first appearance. Fast forward to today, Oktoberfest is now known worldwide as the biggest and grandest beer festival. In 2019, a whopping amount of 7.3 million liters of beer were consumed in Oktoberfest.
Beer in Oktoberfest
What makes Oktoberfest beer so special? What is with it that makes over five million people go out of their way to visit Munich and party?
Oktoberfest Beer is supremely exclusive. It is served by the Club of Munich Brewers who owns its registered trademark. The club is composed of six breweries from Munich: Spatenbräu, Augustiner-Bräu, Löwenbräu, Hofbräu-München, Paulaner, and Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu. The six breweries exclusively serve beer during the festival. They also ship Oktoberfest Beer worldwide.
Oktoberfest beer is only made during the special brewing season in March. Hence, it is locally referred to as Märzen. It is dark-colored and has about 5.5-6% ABV. Also, it gets its rich flavor from being slowly fermented during the summer season. Moreover, it has a unique malt flavor that people all over the world uniquely crave.
Food
The world’s largest party also offers the best of the best when it comes to food. You’d get to taste authentic German cheese, ham, bread, mustard, pickles, red cabbage, and of course, sauerkraut. Food experts highly recommend that you also give the following a try to have a total Oktoberfest experience:● Roast chicken● Roasted ham hock (Schweinshaxe)● Roast pork (Schweinebraten)● Pretzels (Brezen)● Grilled fish on a stick (Steckerlfisch)● Cheese noodles (Käsespätzle)● Potato dumplings (Knödel)
Tour
Oktoberfest is also loved by many because of the many beautiful destinations that tourists can visit during the festival. All the wild and fun parties start at night so Oktoberfest goers love how they can easily choose to sleep all day or go on guided tours. Hikes without guides can also be easily done! Here are top recommended spots that you should check out during Oktoberfest:● English Garden● BMW Museum● Marienplatz● Nymphenburg Palace● Allianz Arena● Residenz● Viktualienmarkt● Alte Pinakothek● Olympiapark● Munchener Tierpark Hellabrunn● St. Peter’s Church
Germany is home to many of the world’s best-preserved beautiful castles so you could also go castle-hopping! Check out Thirsty Swagman for more choices on places you might want to visit!
Other Activities
Apart from beer, food, and tours, you could also check out the following activities that are highly enjoyable as well:
Souvenir Shopping
You will enjoy going from one shop to another while fully exposing yourself to Germany’s rich culture. You’d enjoy buying trinkets for yourself or your loved ones. Here are stellar German-made items that you should definitely check out:● German Chocolates — especially Heilemann Chocolates. It’s of premium quality and has been loved by many since 1955.● German Coffee — especially Dallmayr Coffee. The coffee company has been around for over three centuries. This coffee is loved by Germans. ● Marzipan Arrangement● Gingerbread Hearts
Traditional Costumes
Grab your chance to purchase an authentic set of traditional German clothing or Tracht. It would be fun if you could wear one during the festival. Germans don’t appreciate Trachts that look costume-y and Halloween-ready so grab the opportunity to look for beautiful and non-offensive ones that are sold locally.
Rides
This activity is best enjoyed if you’d come to Oktoberfest with your family. Kids will especially enjoy the many rides available during the festival. You shouldn’t miss experiencing Oktoberfest’s oldest attraction — its vaudeville theatre. This attraction has been around since 1867. The Toboggan will be particularly fun if you’re the competitive kind.
Schedule
To get a full feel of Oktoberfest, you should have a general idea of the activities that the locals look forward to. This is how the usual yearly activities go during Oktoberfest:
Saturday
The parade happens in the morning. The first Oktoberfest-beer-barrel is tapped by the mayor of Munich around lunch.
Sunday
Hunter’s Parade takes place on the first Sunday. Most people wear traditional costumes during this parade.
Thursday
Church service is held in the morning.
Second Sunday
Landlord’s concert held at Theresienwiese in the morning. Traditional gun-salute is held by the steps of the Bavaria monument around lunch.
So, this Germany’s Oktoberfest: Everything You Need to Know will guide you before traveling to Germany for Oktoberfest. October Festival or Oktoberfest is celebrated every October. Never miss this occasion in Germany.
Hi! It’s me! I am a hospitality professional and a part-time blogger! I am a travel dreamer and world conqueror based in Rome, Italy.
